Restaurants to honor all moms

Originally published: June 26, 2009 7:48 AM
By PETER M. GIANOTTI peter.gianotti@newsday.com

Mom, mother, maman, mama, mamma -- yes, her day is coming up. Here are four spots that honor theirs.

Mama Angelina's , 1251 Veterans Hwy., Hauppauge; 631-360-1463 COST $-$$ AMBIENCE Good SERVICE Good For informal mama, it's pizza and pasta first. This eatery specializes in familiar Italian-American fare. Choices include pasta with peas and onions; lasagna; penne with eggplant, basil, marinara and mozzarella; spinach pizza; and, of course, chicken alla mama with white-wine-and-butter sauce.

Mama Theresa's , 1071 Old Country Rd., Westbury, 516-334-3334 COST $-$$ AMBIENCE Good SERVICE Good There are three Mama Theresa's, the others in East Meadow and Garden City Park. They share an affection for pizza. Here, try the pizza bianca, the stuffed vegetable pie, and more traditional slices. The heretical, or at least diet- or health-conscious, can contemplate the tossed-salad pizza. Select from 27 pastas.

Mamma Gina's , 2453 Jerusalem Ave., Bellmore; 516-826-6301; mamaginaspizza.com COST $-$$ AMBIENCE Good SERVICE Good Casual and to the point, Mamma Gina's emphasizes pizzas Sicilian and Neapolitan; pastas such as manicotti in pink sauce with mozzarella; hero sandwiches; and panini, among them the Sorrento with eggplant, tomato sauce and mozzarella. Dessert: cannoli, cheesecake.

Mamma Lombardi's , 400 Furrows Rd., Holbrook; 631-737-0774 COST $$-$$$ AMBIENCE Very good SERVICE Very good Welcome to big mamma's: one of the top southern Italian restaurants on Long Island. Favorites abound: pork braciola, chicken and sausage campagnola, pork chops pizzaiola, perciatelli with eggplant, spaghettini with escarole and white beans, penne arrabbiata, lobster fra diavolo, calamari salad - it goes on. The adjoining pizzeria also is recommended.

HOW THEY RATE $$$$ Average meal $100, per person $$$ Average meal $60, pp $$ Average meal $30, pp $ Average meal $15, pp